ÖBB Annual Report 2025

Group Management Report 106 Österreichische Bundesbahnen-Holding Aktiengesellschaft Consolidated Financial Statements | Group Management Report 63 Climate change mitigation was an important topic with a strategic focus even before the transition plan was drawn up/approved. ÖBB sees strong growth potential in the focus on climate-neutral economic activity. Accordingly, it is striving for further shifts from road and air traffic to climate-friendly rail and public transport. The operation of a sustainable rail transportation infrastructure and climate-friendly mobility solutions by rail and bus are a valuable part of ÖBB's strategy and business model. In order to further secure this role, ÖBB wants to further reduce the remaining GHG emissions and achieve climate neutrality with its transition plan for climate change mitigation (ÖBB climate change mitigation strategy since 2017) as part of the sustainability strategy. Electricity from renewable energies is the central pillar of rail's climate friendliness. However, the cost of renewable energies is expected to continue to rise. Accordingly, the ÖBB Group's energy strategy in Austria focuses on increasing its own supply of traction current from renewable energy sources (sun, wind, water, etc.). In addition, internal energy efficiency is to be increased by 25%, for example, by modernizing the traction power network or optimizing buildings. Safe rail operational management, optimum route availability, and the minimization of system and vehicle disruptions are basic prerequisites for ÖBB to be able to offer its mobility services. In order to minimize disruption for customers and employees, climate change adaptation and protecting its railway infrastructure and assets are top priorities for the ÖBB Group. The transition to a climate-neutral economy will also incur high costs for the ÖBB Group and require it to make capital expenditure. Sustainable finance products are also gaining in importance. The transformation is to be financed through environmentally sustainable products and services. This is particularly important for ÖBB Group companies operating on the capital market. The transition plan for climate change mitigation (ÖBB climate change mitigation strategy since 2017) is embedded in this strategic environment. ESRS E1-1.16.h This transition plan for climate change mitigation was approved by the Board of Management of ÖBB-Holding AG in February 2025. The Supervisory Board of ÖBB-Holding AG was informed separately. Approval was granted by the Supervisory Board members as part of the approval of the non-financial statement in the management report of the 2024 annual report. The transition plan for climate change mitigation is reflected in the Group strategy and sustainability strategy. ESRS E1-1.16.i The 2025 progress report compared with the prior year can be found in the subchapter “ Gross GHG emissions in Scope 1, 2 and 3 categories, as well as total emissions. ” ESRS E1-1.16.j Material impacts, risks and opportunities and their interaction with strategy and business model In view of ongoing climate change and its possible impacts, it is of crucial importance for the ÖBB Group to investigate potential climate risks. A comprehensive climate risk analysis helps to determine whether these hazards could develop into risks that have a significant impact on business activities. The climate risk analysis also forms the basis for the ÖBB Group to take the necessary measures to adapt to climate change. This approach will strengthen climate resilience and secure the Group’s long-term performance. Increasing climate change is significantly altering the dynamics of climate and natural hazards: Due to the increasing frequency of extreme weather events, longer periods of heat and related factors, the analysis of climate risks with a long-term time horizon is becoming ever more important. Such analyses make it possible to measure whether existing natural hazards could become climate risks in the near, medium or distant future. The following significant climate-related physical risks have been identified for the ÖBB Group (details on the process of the climate risk and vulnerability analysis carried out can be found later in this chapter). Climate risks * ) Physical climate risks – Heat (heat stress, heat wave) – Cold snap – Heavy rainfall, flooding – Avalanches – Storms Transition climate risks – Non-respect of CO₂ emission reduction targets – Ban on the use of F-gases in refrigerants *) ESRS E1.SBM-3.18. Resilience of the strategy and business model in the context of climate change In view of the growing impacts of extreme weather events (which are steadily increasing in frequency and intensity), but also the massive increase in train-kilometer performance, it will be crucial to improve and strengthen the resilience of the rail system. Due to significant infrastructure damage and the associated operational restrictions caused by the floods in Vienna and Lower Austria in 2024, the focus in 2025 was on actions to stabilize, rehabilitate and improve processes. Work is also underway to further develop the core business in the short, medium and long term with regard to climate change. ESRS E1.SBM-3.AR.8.b | MR63 E.  Non-financial statement E.1. General information E.2. Environmental inform ation E.3. Social information E.4. Governance information E.5. ESRS index